Megan Rapinoe, forward for the US Women's National Soccer Team, is instantly recognisable on the field for her energetic style of play and, of course, for her iconic blond (and now pink!) pixie cut. A figure on the international stage for 13 years, Megan has helped the USWNT reach the highest echelons of the sport, winning the World Cup in 2015 [1] and the Olympics in 2012 — and has gone through some rough defeats as well. This June, the 33-year-old will be back on the field once again for the 2019 Women's World Cup, ready to defend the title she was instrumental in winning four years ago. (Here's when and how to watch all the USWNT's games [2].)
Megan plays professionally for the Seattle Reign and went to the University of Portland, where she won the national title and helped the team to an undefeated season in her freshman year. She made her USWNT debut in 2006 and, despite being sidelined by knee injuries in 2008 and 2009, returned to help the US become runners-up at the 2011 World Cup and win the 2012 Olympics. Though Megan is known more for her assists than her goals, she scored twice in a dramatic Olympics semifinal match against Canada and eventually got the assist on Carli Lloyd's game-winning goal in the final.
Aside from her on-field heroics, Megan is also conscious of her and her teammates' roles as role models for girls and women in all fields. The USWNT is currently suing the US Soccer Federation for gender discrimination [4], addressing the pay gap between the US men's and women's team and striking a chord across the world with women who deal with similar inequality. "Seek out other women," Megan told POPSUGAR. "There are so many women that are going through the same things and I think oftentimes women are sort of siloed off, whether it's in their jobs or in this or that. But you have so much support around you, so really take motivation and inspiration from that. And just f*ck it. It's our time."
Read on for all the fun facts you need to know about this badass player.
Megan Has Played for the USWNT For 13 Years
As one of the most experienced veterans on the team, Megan told POPSUGAR she's consciously stepping into a leadership role with this World Cup. In previous tournaments, she said "I was able to kind of fly under the radar a little bit and not have too much pressure," she said. "But being one of the older veteran players, that's definitely a role that I and a lot of other players have taken on."
Megan Is a Co-Captain on the US Women's National Team
Along with Alex Morgan and Carli Lloyd, Megan is one of three USWNT co-captains [5] in the 2019 Women's World Cup. After some prominent team leaders, including Abby Wambach, retired in 2016, Megan told POPSUGAR there was something of a "leadership vacuum" on the team. "It took us a little time to find our footing and figure that out and really learn how to step into that role, taking on those different responsibilities. And coming to the realisation that if you want it to be done, then just do it."
Megan Is Dating WNBA Superstar Sue Bird
Megan met basketball star Sue Bird at a sponsor event at the 2016 Olympics in Rio and they started dating that September. Sue plays for the WNBA's Seattle Storm and Megan is a forward for the Seattle Reign, and between them, the power couple has a ton of hardware. Sue has four Olympic gold medals and two WNBA titles under her belt, while Megan has her own Olympic gold, plus silver and gold, respectively, from the 2011 and 2015 World Cups. They were also the first gay couple to appear in ESPN Magazine's Body Issue [8]!